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Smacktalker sneaked through a hole right before the wire to win over Sami's Song in the $8,000 feature race at Fonner Park that looked like a group picture rather than a photo finish.
Armando Martinez guided Smacktalker through a small opening between stablemate Sweetpike and Real Battleaxe while holding off late charges by runner-up Sami's Song and third-place finisher Overnite Surprise for the win.
Martinez won the race by a nose over Beth Butler and Sami's Song in a race where one-half length separated first from seventh place, but Martinez was confident in the outcome.
"I knew I had it at the wire," he said. "I looked over and saw the seven just right behind me on the outside."
Swedes Fever set fast fractions in the early stages, opening up a six-length lead as she covered the first half-mile in 46.40. Halfway down the stretch Swedes Fever was collared by both Real Battleaxe and Sweetpike, setting up late runs by the winner Smacktalker, Sami's Song and Overnite Surprise.
Martinez complimented Smacktalker's trainer James Compton for a good battle plan.
"Jimmy told me to save ground and stay on the rail," Martinez said. "When I asked her to run at the eighth pole, I wasn't sure we could get them, but when we started to split horses, she just took off."
Smacktalker increased her lifetime bankroll to over $47,000 with the $4,800 winner's share of the purse. Sent off as the second favorite, the Smacktalker/Sweetpike Entry returned $7 to win, with a exacta payoff of $18.
Overnight Surprise, the longest shot on the board, completed a $143.20 trifecta.
Hoofprints
Ten different trainers scored wins on the ten race card.
Jesus Ponce, Larren Delorme, and Lee Sensenbach all rode two winners on the day. Sensenbach scored in back to back fashion, winning race five on Special Lovin and the sixth with longshot You and I Are Wild.
First post-time for the Good Friday ten race card is 3 p.m.
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